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Coonhounds: the most honest dog breed review you'll ever find. Terrific information about Coonhound temperament, personality, and behavior. main page breed review faq health training adopting/buying links Six popular Coonhound breeds are the Black and Tan, Bluetick, Redbone, English, Plott Hound, and Treeing Walker. My book, Your Purebred Puppy: A Buyer's Guide (published by Henry Holt & Co.), includes a full-page profile of the Black and Tan Coonhound, including these excerpts (which apply to all the Coonhound breeds): "The AKC Standard says the Black and Tan is "first and fundamentally a working dog, a trail and tree hound." Though good-natured and easygoing, this hardy hound is so in need of exercise that he belongs with an owner who will take him jogging, biking, hiking, and/or swimming. Unless trained for hunting, he must not be let off-leash, for he is an explorer who will follow his nose over hill, over dale, through the woods -- and onto the highway. When well exercised, he is calm and undemanding, apt to sprawl and snore in front of the fire. Without exercise, he can be a rambunctious handful. He can be dominant with strange dogs and may stalk smaller pets. Because Coonhounds use their intelligence to figure out ways to outwit their prey, they may do the same with people. Following commands blindly is not part of their genetic makeup. Consistent leadership is a must, and obedience training must be upbeat and persuasive (include food rewards)." History Coonhounds are descended from various scenthounds and are used to hunt bear, cougar, bobcat, fox, boar, raccoon, and opossum. Size 21-27 inches and 45-100 lbs

Coonhounds What's good about 'em What's bad about 'em If you want a dog who... Is medium to large and about as athletic as you can get! Has a short easy-care coat Is energetic and loves to hunt and work outdoors When well-exercised, is easygoing and laid-back indoors Is good-natured with people and other dogs A Coonhound may be right for you. If you don't want to deal with... Vigorous exercise requirements Rowdiness and exuberant jumping, especially when young Destructiveness when bored or not exercised enough Strong instincts to chase other living creatures that run "Selective deafness" whenever his tremendous nose and exploratory instincts send him running after adventure Stubbornness LOUD baying Shedding and a houndy odor A Coonhound may not be right for you. If I were considering a Coonhound... My major concerns would be: Providing enough exercise and mental stimulation. Coonhounds MUST have regular opportunities to vent their energy and do interesting things. Otherwise they will become rambunctious and bored -- which they usually express by baying and destructive chewing. Bored Coonhounds are famous for chewing through drywall, ripping the stuffing out of sofas, and turning your yard into a moonscape of giant craters. If you simply want a pet for your family, and don't have the time or inclination to take your dog hunting or running or hiking or biking or swimming, I do not recommend these breeds. Coonhounds were never intended to be simply household pets. Their working behaviors (sniffing scents, chasing things that run, exploring, baying) can be a nuisance in a normal household setting. Trying to suppress these "hardwired" behaviors, without providing alternate outlets for their high energy level, can be difficult. Bounciness. Young Coonhounds (up to about two years old) romp and jump with great vigor, and things can go flying, including people. If you have small children, or if you or anyone who lives with you is elderly or infirm, I do not recommend Coonhound puppies. The temptation to play roughly is simply too strong in many young Coonhounds. Chasing smaller animals. Coonhounds have strong instincts to chase and seize cats and other fleeing creatures. If anything goes wrong in the breeding, socializing, training, handling, or management of this breed, it is capable of seriously injuring or killing other animals. Fence security." To keep your Coonhound in, fences should be high, with wire sunk into the ground along the fence line to thwart digging. Coonhounds cannot be trusted off leash, unless they are being worked in a pack in the woods and there are experienced dogs who will show the younger ones how to return to the hunter. A single Coonhound allowed off-fleash will take off -- oblivious to your frantic shouts -- after anything that emits an odor or runs. Stubbornness. Coonhounds are not Golden Retrievers. They are independent thinkers who don't particularly care about pleasing you. Most Coonhounds are very stubborn and can be manipulative. You must show them, through absolute consistency, that you mean what you say. To teach your coonhound to listen to you, "Respect Training" is mandatory. My Coonhound Training Page discusses the program you need. Noise. Coonhounds should never be left outside in your yard, unsupervised. Their deep voice is extremely LOUD and carries a LONG way. Their baying will have your neighbors calling the cops to report the nuisance -- or quietly letting your Coonhound out of his yard so he'll wander away. Shedding and houndy odor. Coonhounds shed more than you might think. Their short, coarse hairs come off on your hands when you pet them, and stick tenaciously to your upholstery and clothing. Also note that Coonhounds have a distinctive "doggy" odor to their skin and coat that some people find offensive. Not all Coonhounds are alike! There are energetic Coonhounds, and placid Coonhounds. Hard-headed Coonhounds, and sweet-natured Coonhounds. Serious Coonhounds, and good-natured goofballs. Introverted Coonhounds, and Coonhounds who love everyone. If you acquire a Coonhound puppy, you can't know for sure what he or she will grow up to be like. Because a good number of purebred puppies do NOT grow up to conform to the "norm." If you're considering an adult Coonhound... There are plenty of adult Coonhounds who have already proven themselves NOT to have negative characteristics. If you find such an adult, don't let "typical breed negatives" worry you. When you acquire a puppy, you're acquiring potential -- what he one day will be. So "typical breed characteristics" are very important. But when you acquire an adult, you're acquiring what he already IS. If you would like to link to this review, here is the HTML code: <a href="http://www.yourpurebredpuppy.com/reviews/coonhounds.html">Coonhounds: What's Good About 'Em, What's Bad About 'Em</a> Copyright © 2000-2008 by Michele Welton. All rights reserved. No part of this website may be reproduced without the permission of the author.